The Blasket Islands experienced an over 50% increase in visitor numbers last year.
That’s according to figures from the Office of Public Works, which manages heritage sites across the country.
More than 13.4 million people visited OPW sites nationwide during 2025, including over 640,000 to the eight Kerry sites – a 5% jump in 12 months.
Over 8,300 people set foot on the Blasket Islands during 2025, which is a 54% rise on the previous year when under 5,500 visited the site.
Ionad an Bhlascoid – which includes the Blasket Island Visitor Centre and the viewing point – saw an over 7% jump with more than 92,000 visitors.
The home of Daniel O’Connell was the most popular OPW site in Kerry again last year, which also saw events marking the 250th Anniversary of the Liberators birth.
Derrynane House in Caherdaniel saw almost 302,500 people through the doors in 2025.
Ross Castle in Killarney was the second most visited OPW site in Kerry, with over 155,000 visitors, an 8.5% jump in a year.
Sceilg Mhichíl saw a drop of 28.5% last year, the UNESCO world heritage site welcomed just above 11,200 tourists, down from more than 15,700 the previous year.
49,250 people visited Gallarus Castle, a 9% drop on the 2024 figure.
Ardfert Cathedral welcomed over 12,000 sightseers last year, while Listowel Castle saw a visitor increase of over 6% in the year.
